The influence of fungal -glucan on nonspecific immunity in broiler chicks

The influence of -1,3/1,6-D-glucan isolated from Pleurotus
ostreatus added to the diet at a level of 20 g/t (group B20) and 40 g/t
(group B40) for the whole trial and 40 g/t from the 1st to the 14th day and
20 g/t from the 15th to the 42nd day of the trial (group B40+20) was
examined on some immune markers in hybrid Ross 308 chicks. A
significantly higher number of monocytes (p<0.01, p<0.05) and
significantly higher phagocytic indiced of leukocytes (p<0.01)
and heterophiles (p<0.001) after 35 days of the trial were observed in
group B40 in comparison to the control group and group B20.
Significantly higher phagocytic indices of leukocytes (p<0.01)
and heterophiles (p<0.001) in comparison to the control group and
group B20 was found also in group B40+20. The total number of
leukocytes, heterophiles, eosinophiles, basophiles and lymphocytes
were not significantly influenced, but heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio was
significantly lower in group B40 (p<0.05) in comparison to the control
group. These results show that -glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus can
stimulate nonspecific immunity and reduce the susceptibility of stress
in broiler chicken, whereas higher concentrations have a stronger
effect.